This is how I stay sane. “Decide not to waste energy worrying about what you don’t have. That is the route to misery. Instead, focus on what you can control. Pay attention to the good in your life, and do your best at whatever you do. There is joy and satisfaction in that.” from Simple Changes to Better Your Life
I doubt you'll get many cancellation, Dianne--you offer so much with your free newsletter they will feel like they've found a gold mine!
I just wanted to add a thought about staying in the middle--that middle is really a huge place, where a number of trap doors can tempt you into various sorts of frustration. My personal bugaboo, when I was busy writing lots of books for young readers, was seeing that my alter ego, Carolyn Arnold, had just come out with a book I figured I would have wanted to write. DARN IT! I'd quickly start to go down that slope and have to stop and say well, there's nothing I can do about that; don't let it "get to you!"
Years later, when I actually got to meet Carolyn--by then she'd brilliantly switched to writing and illustrating books for beginning readers (thus got all the royalties instead of having to share) so I decided to like her--I confessed to my previous envy and frustrations, and she said "Oh--that's funny--I felt the same way about you and your latest book so many times!" Who knew.....
Hah. Just goes to show you, right? The other grass is greener and all that. I guess that even being in the middle emotionally can lead to frustration -- I had not considered that. Thanks Dorothy.
I'm so grateful for this piece today. I had a similar experience recently with a post doing particularly "well" and I've been back and forth about how to follow it up. Thanks for reminding me about middle's value.
My mantra is to try to avoid expectations. That way I am not disappointed if something doesn’t work out, but am happily surprised and grateful when it does.
Besides the inspiring wisdom of being comfortable "in the middle," I have to say that the Vox article "Everyone's a Sellout Now" is so incredibly pertinent to me, and informative, that it feels like it was written for, and to, me. If it were not for this newsletter, I never would have seen it, and that would have been a pity. Along with the incredible wealth of other links, informed musings, and eminently use-able information, I am reminded once again why I choose to be a paid subscriber of Dianne's excellent newsletter!
Thank you Brigit. That piece is a little depressing, no? And right now, it's so pertinent to you as you are thrust into the spotlight with promoting your new memoir.
I did find it a little depressing, yes. But it helped me understand why I’m feeling so uncomfortable and embarrassed with this level of intense self/promotion, and that I’m not alone.
Thank you. If you mean Will Write for Food, it is actually about how to be a food writer -- on a blog or newsletter, as a freelance writer, etc. Tons of information.
Actually, I meant Brigit's memoir. I stumbled upon Will Write for Food, 2015 edition, in a used bookstore and loved it, then bought the 2021 edition. It is such a helpful, inspiring read with, as you say, tons of information. It is how I found my way to your Substack. (Coincidentally, right around the same time you got so many subscribers because of the popular interview that was posted.) I'm not sure where I want to go with my writing, but I love writing, and I love reading about writing, and your book has given me many good ideas and insights. Anyway, I'm sorry that my replying/commenting was unclear. I'm not yet adept at online forums, but I'll get there. Thank you for all that you do!
Yes I do. As long as you subscribe to this newsletter, you will find out about them! If you are in a hurry, you can always hire me privately. Send me an email, dj@diannej.com.
What a quick response, wow! I am not personally writing a cookbook. I am working on a separate project that I think would massively benefit from the workshop, but I am not in any rush. I am happy to wait for the next one. Thank you so much.
This is how I stay sane. “Decide not to waste energy worrying about what you don’t have. That is the route to misery. Instead, focus on what you can control. Pay attention to the good in your life, and do your best at whatever you do. There is joy and satisfaction in that.” from Simple Changes to Better Your Life
Ooh, I like this, Mary Ann. Another good mantra.
I doubt you'll get many cancellation, Dianne--you offer so much with your free newsletter they will feel like they've found a gold mine!
I just wanted to add a thought about staying in the middle--that middle is really a huge place, where a number of trap doors can tempt you into various sorts of frustration. My personal bugaboo, when I was busy writing lots of books for young readers, was seeing that my alter ego, Carolyn Arnold, had just come out with a book I figured I would have wanted to write. DARN IT! I'd quickly start to go down that slope and have to stop and say well, there's nothing I can do about that; don't let it "get to you!"
Years later, when I actually got to meet Carolyn--by then she'd brilliantly switched to writing and illustrating books for beginning readers (thus got all the royalties instead of having to share) so I decided to like her--I confessed to my previous envy and frustrations, and she said "Oh--that's funny--I felt the same way about you and your latest book so many times!" Who knew.....
Hah. Just goes to show you, right? The other grass is greener and all that. I guess that even being in the middle emotionally can lead to frustration -- I had not considered that. Thanks Dorothy.
What an excellent newsletter, Dianne. And I have pondered this concept a whole lot, especially lately.
I'm so grateful for this piece today. I had a similar experience recently with a post doing particularly "well" and I've been back and forth about how to follow it up. Thanks for reminding me about middle's value.
Congratulations on that post! And here's to staying on middle ground.
My mantra is to try to avoid expectations. That way I am not disappointed if something doesn’t work out, but am happily surprised and grateful when it does.
That's a really good one, Kate. Thank you.
And thanks for all you do, Dianne. You are a treasure.
Expect nothing, appreciate everything while always striving to do your best work.
Exactly, Mary Ann!
Besides the inspiring wisdom of being comfortable "in the middle," I have to say that the Vox article "Everyone's a Sellout Now" is so incredibly pertinent to me, and informative, that it feels like it was written for, and to, me. If it were not for this newsletter, I never would have seen it, and that would have been a pity. Along with the incredible wealth of other links, informed musings, and eminently use-able information, I am reminded once again why I choose to be a paid subscriber of Dianne's excellent newsletter!
Thank you Brigit. That piece is a little depressing, no? And right now, it's so pertinent to you as you are thrust into the spotlight with promoting your new memoir.
I did find it a little depressing, yes. But it helped me understand why I’m feeling so uncomfortable and embarrassed with this level of intense self/promotion, and that I’m not alone.
I just looked up your memoir! Looks like my kind of read. I may just put it on the top of my to-be-read pile. I'm glad I stumbled upon it here.
Thank you. If you mean Will Write for Food, it is actually about how to be a food writer -- on a blog or newsletter, as a freelance writer, etc. Tons of information.
Actually, I meant Brigit's memoir. I stumbled upon Will Write for Food, 2015 edition, in a used bookstore and loved it, then bought the 2021 edition. It is such a helpful, inspiring read with, as you say, tons of information. It is how I found my way to your Substack. (Coincidentally, right around the same time you got so many subscribers because of the popular interview that was posted.) I'm not sure where I want to go with my writing, but I love writing, and I love reading about writing, and your book has given me many good ideas and insights. Anyway, I'm sorry that my replying/commenting was unclear. I'm not yet adept at online forums, but I'll get there. Thank you for all that you do!
Reading this post has been a good strategy; it just helped me :) Thank you.
Thank you Marisol!
Words cannot express my gratitude for this amazing round up of culinary news and juicy tidbits. So much to read and savor. Thank you!
You are welcome, Stephanie. I t’s fun for me to find these and share them.
Do you have any plans to run more "Jump Your Cookbook Proposal" workshops?
Yes I do. As long as you subscribe to this newsletter, you will find out about them! If you are in a hurry, you can always hire me privately. Send me an email, dj@diannej.com.
What a quick response, wow! I am not personally writing a cookbook. I am working on a separate project that I think would massively benefit from the workshop, but I am not in any rush. I am happy to wait for the next one. Thank you so much.
Always such valuable perspective